Device for Training of Oral Motor Musculature and the Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for training of oral motor musculature comprising a mouthpiece being assembled on a handle, said mouthpiece comprising at least one opening; each opening being surrounded by a closed frame structure. The mouthpiece might have different shapes. Further, the present invention relates to the use of a device for training of oral musculature.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for training of oral motor musculature and to the use of such device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For people having a reduced muscle tone (hypotonia), or having neurological and functional development disorders which cause a misuse of the oral muscles when eating, chewing, sucking, drinking and/or talking, oral training devices are of importance in order to train the oral motor musculature.

Oral training devices known in the art might give the impression of working motorically but instead they form a vacuum as a suction cup in the user's mouth when the device is in use. None of the known devices are at the same time forcing the muscles to work actively and avoiding that a vacuum is formed. This has for a long time been a known problem in the art but no solution has been provided.

For the training of mouth closure, buttons such as TalkTools® Button Pull are known, and also mouth shields are known for this purpose. Examples of tools for the development of nose breathing are the Nose Breathe® Trainer, the Nose Breathe® Tongue Positioner (NB/TP) and Pacifier (NB/P). Oral Placement Therapy (USA) and Orofacial Regulation Therapy (Argentina, USA, Germany) are also used in the training of oral musculature.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,839,795 B2 discloses a face and mouth muscle stimulator formed by an approximately oblong, oval body to be placed in the mouth, having an open central part and side ends that are wider than the upper and lower mid-zones which are provided with V-shaped recesses at the position of the frenulum.

DE 20310769 U1 describes an exercise device for the tongue and the muscles of the orofacial region to achieve a stable attachment of the tongue against the palate cosisting of a lip shield with at least one perforation and a rearward projecting elastic chamber with aperture connecting it to the oral cavity.

JP 2002-017873 (A) relates to a device with which the surrounding of lips can be rehabilitated. The treatment device is provided with upper and lower lip mounting parts, which are connected by a connection part. Said device is also provided with an electrode for giving electric stimulus to facial nerve muscles.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,262 describes an oral lip and chin muscle rehabilitating device made of flexible material having an annular open shape and being formed with a recessed upper lip rest rection and a recessed lower lip rest section, and further comprises a resilient member connected between the upper and lower lip rest sections.

DE 20 2014 002 341 U1 relates to an apparatus for training of the human tongue comprising an elastic body wherein the tongue is insertable connected to a holding element.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,771 discloses a facial muscle exerciser comprising a disc insertable between the lips and teeth, a resilient member connected integrally to the disc, via the intermediary of a short stem extending from the center of the disc.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,485 describes an exercising device for the lip and cheek comprising a handle and a U-shaped flange adapted to be placed in the mouth of a user and fitted between the teeth and lip area.

The problem with known training products for oral muscles is that a vacuum is formed in the mouth during use and that the musculature is not actively trained. Therefore, there is a need to develop a training device for the training of oral motor musculature that alleviates the problems of known devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for training of oral motor musculature that prevents vacuum from being formed when using the device and wherein the muscles are actively trained.

The present invention solves this problem by providing a device having at least one opening in a mouthpiece. The device according to the present invention has an advantage in that it is impossible or very difficult to make a vacuum due to the opening(s) in the mouthpiece. Instead, the oral motor muscles are doing the job actively.

In a first aspect of the present invention, it is provided a device for training of oral motor musculature comprising a mouthpiece being assembled on a handle, said mouthpiece comprising at least one opening; each opening being surrounded by a closed frame structure.

In an embodiment, said mouthpiece comprises two openings, each surrounded by a closed frame structure, said frame structures forming two lateral parts.

In another embodiment, said mouthpiece has only one opening surrounded by a closed frame structure forming one lateral part.

In an embodiment, said mouthpiece is circular.

In an embodiment, said mouthpiece is U-shaped.

Further, in one embodiment, said device might comprise a string and/or nipple mounted to the mouthpiece. At least one training remedy might be assembled on said string and/or nipple.

In one embodiment, at least one stimulation point is assembled on said frame structure.

In an embodiment, said handle might comprise a vibration part.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides the use of a device for training of oral motor musculature, for example training of lip closure and training of the tip of the tongue, dorsum and root of the tongue.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates different shapes and sizes of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view and a top view of different shapes and sizes of the device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the present invention wherein the mouthpiece has two openings each surrounded by a closed frame forming two lateral parts.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the present invention wherein a string with a nipple is assembled on the mouthpiece.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the the device according to the invention wherein the is mouthpiece has one opening surrounded by a closed frame structure forming one lateral part and a string with a nipple assembled thereon.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the handle comprises a vibration part.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the handle comprises a vibration part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The problem sought to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device for the training of oral motor musculature that allows the muscles to work actively without forming a vacuum in the mouth. The present invention solves this problem by at least one opening in a mouthpiece of the training device.

In the context of the present invention, the term opening means empty space surrounded by a closed frame structure. When there are two or more openings, it is to be understood that adjacent openings might share part(s) of the closed frame structure(s).

In the context of the present invention, the term lateral part/wing refers to the part of the mouthpiece on each side of the handle.

The present invention provides a device for training of oral motor musculature comprising a mouthpiece having at least one opening and a handle. For using the device, the mouthpiece is placed in front of the row of teeth, between the lips and teeth, the handle extends out of the mouth and might be used to hold the device in place in the desired position either by the user or another person. During training, the handle might also be pulled in various directions depending on the desired training effect.

Said device helps developing lip closure, developing nose breathing and stimulating oral musculature around lips and cheeks, in particular the musculus orbicularis oris. Improvement of lip closure strengthens and improves speech and swallowing. Activation of the upper lip is of importance for chewing, swallowing and speech. Particularly, stimulation of the upper lip has proven beneficial for enhancing the pharyngeal function. The function of said opening(s) in the mouthpiece is to avoid a vacuum so that the muscles must work actively during training when the device is in position with the mouthpiece inside the mouth, between the teeth and lips. The total area of the opening(s) is preferably sufficient to avoid the formation of vacuum during use.

The device will function both as a training- and maintenance material for everyone who has reduced muscle tone (hypotonia), or has neurological and functional development disorders which cause a misuse of the oral muscles when eating, chewing, sucking, drinking and/or talking. Particularly, the device is for training of mouth/lip closure, especially musculus orbicularis oris.

FIG. 1 shows devices according to the invention having different shapes and sizes. 1-a is a device with a mouthpiece having one lateral part, or said lateral part might also be referred to as a wing. 1-b is a device with a circular mouthpiece, and devices 1-c to 1-g all have mouthpieces with two lateral parts/wings.

FIG. 2 shows a side view and a top view of devices (2-a to 2-g) according to the invention having different shapes and sizes. The smallest size devices having mouthpieces with two lateral parts/wings might have an almost straight curve of the mouthpiece. The larger devices might have mouthpieces with deeper curves, referred to as a U-form or a U-shape or a U-shaped form. A device designed with a rather deep curve of the mouthpiece gives the possibility to assemble different training remedies on a string or nipple for training of the tip of the tongue, dorsum and root of the tongue.

In one embodiment, the mouthpiece of the device according to the invention might have at least two openings, in an embodiment there might be 2-10 openings, preferably 2-5 openings, more preferably 2-3 openings, most preferably two openings.

In another embodiment, a device according to the invention having a circular mouthpiece might have at least two openings, in one embodiment 2-10 openings, in another embodiment 3-10 openings, preferably 3-5 openings. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a circular mouthpiece of the device according to the invention has three openings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, cf., 1-a and 2-a, the device according to the invention may be made with a mouthpiece having only one wing/lateral part. This is for obtaining a better positioning and training for persons with hemiparesis or tongue deviation. Some might also prefer a mouthpiece with one lateral part/wing only as this might be easier to use. In one embodiment, a mouthpiece of a device according to the invention having only one lateral part has at least one opening, in one embodiment 1-5 openings, preferably 1-2 openings, in one embodiment preferably one opening, in another embodiment a mouthpiece having only one lateral part has two openings.

The mouthpiece might be assembled to the handle in different angles, depending on the shape of the mouthpiece. As may be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the circular mouthpiece and mouthpieces having two wings are in a right-angle position with regard to the handle, whereas the mouthpiece having only one wing is in an inclined position with regard to the handle.

As shown in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the device according to the present invention comprises a mouthpiece being assembled on a handle, said mouthpiece having two openings, each surrounded by a closed frame stucture forming two lateral parts/wings. In the shown embodiment of FIG. 3, said mouthpiece has a U-form which follows the curve of the teeth/jaw. It might remind of a butterfly with the opening of the wings.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention wherein the mouthpiece has two lateral parts in a U-shape and wherein a string and nipple are mounted to the mouthpiece. Different training remedies might be assembled on the string and/or nipple on the mouthpiece for training of the tip of the tongue, dorsum and root of the tongue. By mounting various training items on the string and/or nipple of the mouthpiece, the tongue, i.a., will get various exercise movements while still being behind the teeth inside the mouth.

In FIG. 5, an embodiment of the device according to the invention having a mouthpiece with only one lateral part and one opening, with a string and nipple mounted to the mouthpiece is shown.

In one embodiment, the string is attached to two positions on the closed frame structure/frame structures.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention with a circular mouthpiece and wherein the handle comprises a vibration part. FIG. 7 illustrates a device having a U-shaped mouthpiece with two openings wherein the handle comprises a vibration part. In some training situations it might be advantagous to have a vibrating handle in order to obtain the intended training effect.

Oral training devices often give the impression of working motorically but instead they form a vacuum as a suction cup in the mouth of a user when the device is in use. The device according to the present invention has an advantage in that it is impossible/very difficult to make a vacuum. Instead the muscles are doing the job actively.

The device can be produced in different sizes and with different sizes of the mouthpiece and of the opening(s) in the mouthpiece, some of the possible shapes and sizes being illustrated in the accompanying figures. The openings of the mouthpiece might also be in the form of perforations, in this context referring to smaller openings distributed partly throughout or throughout the mouthpiece. Also the shape, thickness and length of the handle might vary according to different needs and intended uses.

In one embodiment of the invention, different stimulation tools, also referred to as stimulation points, might be assembled to the frame/frames in order to trigger tacile sensory points to provide increased muscle activity in the desired area. Such stimulation points might be in the form of lumps moulded into the frame(s) or mounted on the frame(s). The lumps might have a smooth surface or an uneven surface. It might also be mounted or strung tools/points in the form of beads/pearls or rings on the frame(s), that will be able to roll back and forth on the frame(s). Such arrangements might i.a. trigger the upper lip to become more active. For example, rolling pearlshaped stimulation points under the upper lip will help in pulling the upper lip downwards so that the mouth closes. Many children and adults having a reduced jaw stability fixate by tightening the upper lip.

People with fixation tend to smile all the time and expose the front teeth in the upper jaw and the lips seldom meet. In such cases, the bilabial sounds M, B and P are produced labiodentally in the same positions as V and F sounds with the result that the front teeth in the upper jaw replace the function of the upper lip. Others might have an overactive lower lip and a passive upper lip. Then the passive upper lip is compensated by an overactive mentalis muscle. An overactive mentalis muscle inhibits swallowing and prevents a proper functioning of the pharyngeal reflex.

Both hypotonic upper lip and fixation of the upper lip lead to a stiff, passive and little mobile upper lip. Stimulation tools on the frame(s) may be designed to increase tactile sensing, which leads to increased activity in the desired area on lips and/or cheeks.

Stimulation points will particularly help in increasing the activity of the upper lip. Pearlshaped stimulation points under the upper lip have shown positive results with regard to improved mouth closure, increased activity and correct movement, which will lead to better oral hygiene, eating- and speech functions.

Different shapes and sizes of the mouthpiece might be advantageous for gradually going from vacuum to active use of the muscles around the lips/mouth, then typically starting with larger sizes and gradually replacing with smaller sizes as the muscles improve their strength, as it will require more use of the muscles to hold the devices with a smaller mouthpiece in position in the user's mouth.

The mouthpiece of the device which is placed between the lips and the teeth has at least one opening which is suitable for the users to feel that they can breathe through the mouth when needed. Many people have problems breathing through their nose and must be able to switch between training and breathing.

The mouthpiece might be of different sizes and there might be more than one opening and the size of the opening and/or openings might vary. With a regular mouthshield without openings there will be a problem that users form a vacuum in their mouths and then they are not able to work actively with i.a. the musculus orbicularis oris. By preventing vacuum from being formed, the device according to the invention provides better training conditions and muscle performance than prior art solutions and therefore solves a technical problem which has been attempted to solve for a long time without having reached a satisfactory solution and thus, fulfils a long-felt need.

The device according to the invention enables the persons using it to develop nose breathing and at the same time being able to take small breathing pauses during training sessions where they might breathe through the opening/openings in the mouthpiece of the device. This makes it easier to use the training device over longer periods and it will feel less claustrophobic for the users compared to devices where a vacuum is formed. By varying the size of the device and the size of the opening/openings, the degree of difficulty may be varied.

Visual feedback through the opening(s) in the mouthpiece of the device according to the invention is another benefit which gives good conditions for observing the tongue movements. Due to the opening/openings, it will also be possible for the users themselves to observe the tongue movements in a mirror. Particularly important exercises will be training of lateral movement of the tongue. This is important for eating, kneading of food and sound production.

The device might be produced in a wide range of materials. Examples of suitable materials are plastic materials ranging from flexible to rigid plastics, one example being polyamide 11 (PA11), also other materials such as for example aluminum and surgical stainless steel are suitable.

The invention may help both children and adults in need of oral muscle training. For example, people with Down syndrom having a reduced muscle tonus (hypotonia), protruding tongue and mouth breathing. Further, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and mouth breating are common problems among people suffering from Cerebral Palsy as is the development of a high arch palate which prevents a proper mouth closing. Hemiparesis affects many stroke patients and they need training of the tongue, cheek, lips and jaw to get the best possible speech/eating skills. Elderly in general and people suffering from Parkinson's disease may benefit from daily training with the device according to the invention.

The invention also provides the use of an oral device for training of oral motor musculature. More specifically, such device might be used for improving the lip closure, and also for training of the tip of the tongue, dorsum and root of the tongue.

An important feature of the invention which constitutes an improvement over prior art is the fact that the device allows the muscles to work actively without forming a vacuum when using the device. Further, the device according to the invention avoids breathing problems and choking sensations during use, it is easy to use and also a quiet and fun training aid.

In an improved method for the training of oral motor musculature, a device comprising a mouthpiece being assembled on a handle, said mouthpiece comprising at least one opening; each opening being surrounded by a closed frame structure, is placed in the mouth between the lips and teeth of a user for actively training the muscles around the lips/mouth.

In one embodiment of said method, said mouthpiece comprises two openings, each surrounded by a closed frame structure, said frame structures forming two lateral parts.

In another embodiment of said method, said mouthpiece has only one opening surrounded by a closed frame structure forming one lateral part.

In one embodiment, the mouthpiece might be circular, in another, the mouthpiece is U-shaped.

In another embodiment of said method, a string and/or nipple is connected to the mouthpiece and at least one training remedy might be assembled on said string and/or nipple. The training remedies might be of different shape and size depending on the user's training needs. In one embodiment, at least one stimulation point is assembled on said frame structure.

In one embodiment of said method, the handle of the device might comprise a vibration part. 

1. A device for training of oral motor musculature, characterized in that it comprises a mouthpiece being assembled on a handle, said mouthpiece comprising at least two openings, each surrounded by a closed frame structure, said frame structures forming two lateral parts or a circular structure. 2.-4. (canceled)
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said frame structures form two lateral parts and said mouthpiece is U-shaped.
 6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a string and/or a nipple mounted to the mouthpiece.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein at least one training remedy is assembled on said string and/or nipple.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one stimulation point is assembled on said frame structure.
 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a vibration part.
 10. A method for training of oral motor musculature, for training of lip closure, and/or for training of the tip of the tongue, dorsum, and root of the tongue comprising employing a device according to claim
 1. 11.-12. (canceled)
 13. A device according to claim 5, wherein said device further comprises a string and/or a nipple mounted to the mouthpiece. 